Obesity And Diabetes- 2 Diseases Reciprocally Affecting Each Other

Conveniences of modern life cause the occurrence of both diabetes and obesity in many cases. The technological and mechanical comforts that we gather to make our daily lives more lavish, easy and comfortable (through the usage of machines, automobiles and other modern tools, equipments and gadgets) result in our dependence on these mechanical and technological devices/equipments. With time, our physical activities reduce to very low levels and we incur diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Age, race, family history, hormonal imbalances, improper diets etc may also be a cause of the two diseases. Improper diet patterns are caused by modern living approaches to food. On-the-go fast and junk foods that are high in bad cholesterol, saturated fats and low in fiber, vitamin, minerals and good cholesterol are easily accessible and available. People don’t bother about their health implications that are later evident in the form of diseases like diabetes, obesity and many more. Age, race and family history exert genetic influence on humans which can be a cause of diabetes and obesity.
Surveys and studies find a directly proportional relationship between diabetes and obesity. 80 to 90 percent of people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are also diagnosed with obesity. If you are overweight then there is high chance that you may also suffer from diabetes sooner than later in life.

Physiological Linkage Between Obesity And Diabetes

Obesity and diabetes exhibit a codependency between each other in many cases and occurrence of one may lead to occurrence of other. The codependency of these two diseases is negatively mutual and reciprocal (occurs both ways).

Obesity To Diabetes

A recent study conducted by researchers in Harvard University links diabetes and obesity in a scientific manner. The study provides a cause-and-effect relationship between obesity and diabetes. According to the study, when we over-eat then the non-metabolized/undigested or relatively non-metabolized/not properly digested excess food/nutrients create stress in the endoplasmic reticulum(ER) that is found human cells. ER is the cellular structure that processes the ingested fats and proteins inside the cell. The stressed ER is unable to properly metabolize the excess amounts of nutrients/food. Presence of high amounts of cholesterol and unsaturated fat-laden foods further aggravate the problem further as they stress the ER to even higher levels. The stressed ER sends an SOS signal or alarm bell to cell for dampening the insulin receptors of the cell to a lower level so that lesser sugar gets metabolized. When the stressing occurs again and again because of our bad/over eating habits/practices, then the cells develop insulin resistance because of the repeated alarm signals issued by the ER. Later, the cells fail to metabolize even normal levels of glucose obtained from the nutrients. This non-metabolized sugar accumulates in the blood and causes diabetes. In this way a short term adaptive response like obesity causes a long term chronic illness like diabetes.

Research is also initiated to know whether overeating can be cause of occurrence of some cardiovascular diseases. Evidences reveal that apart from development of insulin resistance, overeating also causes inflammation in cells which can lead to cardiovascular diseases.

Prevention

It is important to eat a balanced diet that has right amounts of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Overeating should be avoided and it is better to eat only when you feel hungry. Drinking 4 liters of water a day can improve your digestion, help you avoid over eating and help your body clear the toxins away from the body through urine and sweat.

Diabetes To Obesity

Things may also go other way round. If you have diabetes and are on insulin injections for metabolizing your body sugar, then a sugar rich diet can make you gain weight and become obese. Insulin dosages metabolize sugar and therefore the insulin injections help in absorption of glucose inside the cells. Lesser sugar gets excreted out of the body in people who are on insulin injections. All the sugar that is absorbed by the cells forms accumulated fat deposits. Higher proportions of these fat deposits exceed what the body’s dimensions require and cause obesity. BMI or body mass index measurement statistics can reveal whether you are overweight, underweight or have healthy weight proportions.

Prevention

Those having diabetes must monitor their sugar levels regularly and improve their diet patterns. They should eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, spices, lean meats, fish and fiber containing foods like whole grains. People with diabetes should not eat saturated fat, bad cholesterol and high glucose containing food items like sweets, sugary drinks, fast foods and junks foods. Eating according to your required sugar meter levels is important and diabetics must revise their diet and activity patterns until they attain a right activity and diet routine that keeps their sugar levels controlled.

You can avoid suffering from both diabetes and obesity by having a healthy diet pattern and by increasing your daily physical activity level. Avoid use of excessive machines and automobiles and do much as physical work as you can. There is an old saying that “Nobody died of hard work”. The saying becomes all the more relevant in modern lifestyle context though you should avoid working and exercising when you are fatigued.

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